Quartz Hill Puts Itself on Soccer Map

Twenty-three victories and a Golden League championship might be tremendous accomplishments, but they haven’t earned the Quartz Hill High boys’ soccer team much respect outside the Antelope Valley.

The Rebels’ 2-1 victory over Ventura in a Division II first-round game on Saturday might change that.

“We just wanted to prove we can play with anybody,” said defender Marcus Jackson of Quartz Hill (23-2-2). “We’re not just a joke coming out of the Antelope Valley.

“We might be in the desert and there might not be anything to do out here, but soccer is life. Soccer is all we have to do out here, other than hang out with friends, and we are good at it.”

Nick Angelillo scored the Rebels’ goals in the second half, lifting Quartz Hill into a second-round game Wednesday against Canyon.

Earning the respect of the Cougars (14-7-4) wasn’t easy. The teams were so evenly matched there was a struggle to keep a grasp on momentum as it swayed throughout the game.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for [Ventura],” said Quartz Hill Coach Andre Matalon. “They are a good team.”

Thirty-eight fouls were called, split evenly between the teams.

Quartz Hill outshot Ventura, 14-13.

“[Quartz Hill] is one of the best teams we’ve played,” said Ventura Coach Todd Tackett. “They are well coached, they have a lot of skill and they played us hard.

“That’s why they have as many wins as they do.”

Angelillo broke a 1-1 tie in the 66th minute when he chipped the ball over defender Jake Campbell and brought it under control before placing a shot past goalkeeper Brian O’Rnalles.

Angelillo netted his first goal in the 45th minute, taking a pass from Paul Carter and slipping his shot past O’Rnalles for a 1-0 lead.

Nine minutes later, Ventura forward Mike Enfield sent a cross to the far post to Matt Datlow, whose header was punched away on a diving save by goalkeeper Ian McClung.

But Shane Wilks leaped above the crowd and headed the ball into the goal.

“I’m proud of my team,” Tackett said. “They never gave up. I couldn’t have asked for my guys to play harder than they did. I don’t mind losing when the guys play as hard as they did [Saturday].”